Arabian Horse Essay Contest

The University of Minnesota 4-H Youth Development Program announces the annual "Why I Want an Arabian Horse" essay contest, open to all Minnesota 4-H members actively involved in the 4-H horse project.

Given away will be one weanling or yearling horse, sound and correct in conformation, of good disposition and bloodlines with a current negative Coggins test, and eligible for registration in the Arabian Horse Registry.

This year's prize horse has been donated by West Lawn Farm in Faribault, MN. Owners Penny Gute and her husband, Dr. Jim Gute have state of the art breeding facility and have, since 1999, worked on developing high quality Arabian breeding and show horses. Many of the Arabian horses produced by West Lawn Farm have excelled in the show ring both in halter and performance classes. The Arabian horses of West Lawn Farm are Breeders Sweepstakes nominated and MAHB Futurity nominated.

Contest rules

What would owning an Arabian horse mean to you? Submit a typed essay of up to one and a half pages including information (about the breed) that shows the reason the contestant wants an Arabian horse. Include how you would provide care, the environment in which the horse would be raised, and any other relevant information you wish to share along with a cost of care sheet (showing an understanding of the financial obligation involved in horse ownership). Mail your entry to Cathy or Jordon Giefer, Contest Coordinators between January 1 and September 4, 2015. Include a completed Consent and Release of Liability form. Incomplete entries will not be reviewed.

Entries will be blind-reviewed by a review committee, comprised of personnel from the donor and the Contest Coordinator will select five finalists. The finalists will be interviewed by phone in September. The five finalists will attend the "Why I Want an Arabian" event at the 2015 Minnesota State Horse Show where the winner will be announced. The winner will take home the horse!

The University of Minnesota 4-H Youth Development Program expect the winner to take the properly cared for horse to the 2016 State 4-H Horse Show for exhibit and related special events; successive shows is an option. Previous winners of either the Paint horse or the Arabian horse are ineligible. If the donated horse is a male it must be castrated per the Minnesota 4-H rulebook requirements.